We connect Los Angeles high school students, from diverse, often underrepresented backgrounds, to relevant USC student mentors, and help our students build the hard skills, soft skills, and growth mindset they will need as leaders of the next generation.

Our program introduces 12 students from a charter school (Hybrid High School) in South L.A. to technology, design, and entrepreneurship through a semester long mentorship program at the USC. We also host Power Up, a one day all
female* tech and entrepreneurship conference for Hybrid High students. *non-binary and transgender inclusive

Workshops

The program typically consists of 6-9 workshops 1.5 hour - 3 hours each week. Students are provided computers at the workshops and engage in topics ranging graphic design, web development, social media marketing, and pitching. Workshops have been taught
by leaders from USC’s entrepreneurial student organizations, USC alumni, and industry professionals.

Company Tours (Safaris)

Students take 2-3 trips to companies in Los Angeles to see how what they are learning gets applied. Typically, one trip is to a startup incubator and another to a burgeoning tech, design, or entrepreneurial venture in LA. Past partners include Science
Inc. and Buzzfeed LA.

Mentorship

Each student is paired with a mentor; these mentors go to workshops with their mentee, advise them through the college process, and their time commitment extends past the bounds of Project Launch. We also have technical mentors, who support rockets during
interactive portions of workshops.

Impact

Internships

In 2017 one-third of rocket class found an internship through Project Launch, with our partner incubator, Science Inc.

Laptops and Scholarships

In 2017 we provided all participants with their own laptops at the end of the program, and three outstanding participants with $750 scholarships.

2017

2018

Apply

We believe mentorship paired with project-based, skill-focused learning and exposure to industry will help create future leaders. Whether you want to mentor a student or become a rocket, we want you to apply to our program.

Ednovate Community Partner Award

The community partner award acknowledges programs that have had a substantial positive impact on students in the school district over the past year. Because of Project Launch’s involvement with the school and the value that it brings to the areas of tech
and entrepreneurship, we were awarded the Community Partner Award. By supplementing classes and initiatives in their curriculum we increased interest for students and gave them new tools and experiences to move forward with their education.

Fuel the Launch

We aim to work with partners that want to invest in a diverse future for the STEAM fields and beyond. Partners have the opportunity to collaborate on our periodic work sessions, invite the mentees and mentors on tech tours, and
support the scholarships our mentees need to get a STEAM education. Project Launch needs you to fuel the launch.